Consumer Traps & Tips #17 - You can make $5,000 working at home!

For immediate release: March 23, 2009
Contact: Dennis Moore PBC Consumer Affairs Division, (561) 712-6600

Trap

Victor was laid off six months ago from his sales job in Wellington.  He decided to start a business in his home.  An attractive Internet site advertised the perfect opportunity that would allow Victor to work from his home and receive up to $5,000 a month for selling their products.  All he had to do was send the company $100 to get started.  After the online exchange and waiting six weeks, he still had not received the “starter kit” as promised.  Victor was very disappointed and wanted his money back.  When he checked the Internet again, he discovered the “attractive” Web site was gone, and there was no way to locate the company. 

Tips

The Internet is a great source of information and help, but in today’s economy there is a proliferation of unscrupulous schemes to take your money.  Some solid tips:

• Watch out for highly exaggerated claims of easy money that can be made in your spare time. 
• Be cautious if you are required to pay an upfront fee for information or materials to get started.
• If you receive unsolicited e-mails offering a work at home opportunity, be cautious as it could be spam or an attempt to gather your personal information.
• Be wary of advertisements that require you to take immediate action or pressure you to make a quick decision without allowing you time to research the company.
• Check out the company thoroughly.  Google the name and the telephone number.  Check the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site www.ftc.gov as well as www.ripoffreport.com and www.fraud.org.   

Call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs for help and guidance at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray call 1-888-852-7362) or go to the Web site www.pbcgov.com/consumer to see if other local consumers have submitted complaints about the company.